Port chief takes offer

Contract extension includes less pay

November 29, 2012

WARREN - Nearly a month after it was offered to her, the executive director of the Western Reserve Port Authority has agreed to a contract extension that will keep her in charge of the port's economic development activity.

Rose Ann DeLeon will be paid $47,500 for the six additional months, a significant departure from the $155,000 a year she earned under her old three-year contract. But the agreement includes incentives that could allow her to earn back much of the difference.

In addition, the automatic renewal clause contained in the first agreement is not included in the extension, said port authority board Chairman Scott Lynn.

Her contract and performance were at the center of a lengthy debate by board members and elected officials, including some who did not want to offer her another contract because they believed she had not lived up to expectations.

''I supported her, but I want to see something happen,'' Lynn said. ''We have to make some progress on economic development. We're not here to just tread water.''

The agreement begins Dec. 7. The board will evaluate her performance and contract six weeks before it expires.